1984 riot victims meet Governor Kataria in delegation led by MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, seek rehabilitation, implementation of HC orders
Delegation led by MP Satnam Singh Sandhu raises pending demands for houses, business booths, jobs and red cards; objects to Congress rally on November 1
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 30, 2026: A delegation of the 1984 Riot Victims Welfare Society, led by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought his intervention to ensure rehabilitation of victim families and implementation of relevant Punjab and Haryana High Court orders.
The delegation raised several long-pending issues concerning allotment and possession of residential houses and flats, business booths, red cards and employment for eligible families. The representatives said that despite government decisions and court orders, many affected families were still struggling to secure their rightful benefits.
They urged the Governor to seek a status report from the Punjab Government on pending cases and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive rehabilitation benefits without further delay.
The delegation included Society President Surjit Singh, Women’s Wing President Bibi Gurdeep Kaur, Secretary Daljit Singh, Chairman Gurdev Singh, Inderpal Singh, Dharminder Singh, Surjit Singh (D.P.), Bhupinder Kaur, Rajwant Kaur, Sangeeta Kaur and Gurdev Kaur (widow).
Victims object to Congress rally on November 1
Separately, representatives of the victim families strongly objected to the Congress rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1, alleging that holding a political gathering on the date was insensitive towards the Sikh community’s sentiments.
They criticised Rahul Gandhi’s call for the rally against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Election Commission, saying November 1 marks the beginning of the horrific killings of Sikhs in Delhi in 1984.
The representatives said the day was observed by victim families in memory of their loved ones and as a reminder of the justice they were still awaiting. Organising a political show of strength in Delhi on the same date, they said, reopened the wounds of families who had suffered during the massacre.
They maintained that another date could have been chosen if the Congress leadership respected Sikh sentiments. Questioning the party’s accountability over the alleged involvement of its leaders in the 1984 violence, the representatives announced that they would protest against the rally and burn effigies of Rahul Gandhi.
Sharing her personal tragedy, Bibi Gurdeep Kaur said eight members of her family, including two younger brothers of her husband, were killed during the violence. She said the affected families continued to live with the trauma of losing their loved ones and homes.
She expressed hope for justice from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanked Sandhu for taking up the victims’ demands and reiterated the demand for an investigation into the alleged role of Sonia Gandhi.
Society President Surjit Singh said the families were fighting not only for justice but also for dignified rehabilitation. He said Sandhu had provided them an important platform to present their pending demands before the Governor.
Sandhu said rehabilitation of the 1984 victims was not a favour by any government but its responsibility. He urged the Punjab Government to resolve the pending cases of eligible families in accordance with its policies and relevant court orders.
Targeting the Congress over the proposed rally, Sandhu said November 1 held deep significance in the collective memory of the Sikh community and that political gatherings on the day disregarded the suffering of victim families.
He said respect for the community’s sentiments must be reflected through actions and decisions, reiterating his support for the families in their fight for justice, rehabilitation and their rightful entitlements.